Up to 35000 school children affected by Department of Fisheries cuts. Say no to this!

We, the undersigned as residents and citizens of Canada, draw the attention the House to the following;

THAT;

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is turning its back on wild salmon with its latest decision to cut funding to the department’s resource restoration unit, education and technical support contracts in its salmon enhancement program and the production of steelhead and cutthroat trout at salmon enhancement hatcheries.

For more than 30 years, Fisheries and Oceans has supported Educators in British Columbia and the Yukon who teach their students to understand, respect and protect freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystems, and to recognize how all humans are linked to these complex environments.

The Stream to Sea education program includes resources for all grade levels that will help students become aquatic stewards and active citizens that are interested in protecting their local watersheds.

Cuts to this critically important program will result in the loss of the following.

2 full time employees.

16 part time employees.

Access to educational materials and equipment.

35 000 children per year will lose out on a connection with our iconic and culturally important salmon.

First Nations depend on salmon as a food source, and will also be adversely affected by this decision.

Cutting this program will potentially put an end to wild salmon stocks throughout the West Coast of Canada.

THEREFORE, YOUR PETITIONERS UNDERSIGNED CALL UPON YOU TO NOT HALT THESE PROGRAMS.